The Pause Before the Plate: One Bite, Full Presence

0:00Hi, this is Alex Cantrowitz, I'm the host of Big Technology Podcast, a long time reporter and an on-air contributor to CNBC. And if you're like me, you're trying to figure out how artificial intelligence is changing the business world and our lives. So each week on Big Technology, I bring on key actors from companies building AI tech and outsiders trying to influence it, asking where this is all going, to come from places like Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, and plenty more. So if you want to be smart with your wallet, your career choices, and meetings with your colleagues and at dinner parties, listen to Big Technology Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. The sun shining, birds are singing, and all feels right in the world. Until the season changes, and suddenly you lose your motivation to get out of bed. In fact, one in five people experience some form of depression no matter the season or time of year. At the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, our vision is to build a mentally healthy nation for all because we want you to live your best life and be your best you all year

1:00round. Please visit mentallyhealthination.org to learn more. This is your mindful eating, daily guides to Conscious Nutrition Podcast. Hey there, welcome, I'm Julia Cartwright and I'm so glad you're here with me today. You know, it's Thursday morning and I'm willing to bet that if you're anything like me, your day is already trying to pull you in 17 different directions before you've even had your coffee. So let's hit pause together right here, right now. Just you and me and a little bit of intention about how we're going to nourish ourselves today. Find a comfortable seat wherever you are. Could be your kitchen, your couch, wherever feels good. Let your shoulders drop away from your ears. That's it. And as you settle in, I want you to take three deep breaths with me. Move in through your nose for a count of four. Hold it for a moment and then exhale slowly through your mouth. One more time.

2:00Let your body know that it's safe to slow down. Now here's what I want to explore with you today. We're going to practice what I call the pause before the plate because here's the truth most of us eat on autopilot. We're scrolling, we're rushing, we're thinking about the next thing and our bodies actually trying to tell us something, but we're not listening. So imagine you're about to eat something right now, anything, a snack, a meal, whatever. Before you take that first bite, I want you to pause. Take your hands and just hold whatever you're eating and notice it, like you're seeing it for the very first time. What colors do you see? Is it warm or cool to the touch? Now bring it close and smell it, really smell it. Don't judge it, just notice. What happens in your mouth when you do that? Does your body start preparing to receive nourishment? That's your body saying hello, it's waking up. Now take one small bite. Before you chew, notice the texture on your tongue.

3:03Let your senses have a moment, then chew slowly, maybe ten times. What flavors come alive? What textures do you feel? This is the magic of eating consciously. You're not just feeling your body, you're actually present for the experience of being alive. Here's your invitation for today. Pick one meal or snack, just one, and give it this kind of attention. The pause, the noticing, the slowness. That's it. That's your whole practice. Thank you so much for joining me on Mindful Eating, Daily Guides to Conscious Nutrition. If this resonated with you, please subscribe so we can explore mindfulness together again tomorrow. You're doing great. Keep pausing, make sure you hit the subscribe button and never miss out. Thanks for listening. Hi, this is Alex Cantrowitz, I'm the host of Big Technology Podcast, a long time reporter and an on-air contributor to CNBC. And if you're like me, you're trying to figure out how artificial intelligence is changing the business world and our lives. So each week on Big Technology, I bring on key actors from companies building AI tech

4:07and outsiders trying to influence it, asking where this is all going. They come from places like Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, and plenty more. So if you want to be smart with your wallet, your career choices, and meetings with your colleagues and at dinner parties, listen to Big Technology Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.